NEXCO CENTRAL (Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited)




November 28, 2012 President Kaneko's regular meeting

Conference Summary

 

【MC】 

We have been waiting for you. We have just begun the 83rd regular conference.

 

[President Kaneko] 

Thank you for your busy place. Today we have about seven topics.

 

[Business status]

Toll revenue in October was 42,998 million yen, up 3.2% from the same month last year, and the average number of traffic was 1,899,000 vehicles a day, up 2.5% from the same month last year.

In terms of route, Hokuriku Expressway, Isewangan Expressway, Mei-Nikan Expressway but routes, such as has been increasing about 3 to 10% compared to last year, was opened to the still April Shin-Tomei Expressway acts largely the effect of, income, Both units are increasing.

Next is the construction situation.

As stated in the materials, Shin-Tomei Expressway and Tokai-Kanjo Expressway were opened as scheduled. The remaining three sections are under construction. We will notify you once the official opening date has been determined.

 

Next is the usage status of ETC. The daily average utilization rate in October was 90.0%.

 

Next is the situation of the service area.

Sales in the service area in October were 14,873 million yen, 110.4% of the same month last year. This, and other NEOPASA have our popular (Neopasa) Shin-Tomei Expressway addition to the service area parking area, which is why it renewed the Ise road Anou service area (vertical line) is strong.

 

[About provisional three lanes near the Higashi-Meihan Expwy Yokkaichi Interchange]

Higashi-Meihan Expressway in, as congestion measures, from May this year Yokkaichi has been promoting the interim 3-lane construction work in the vicinity of the interchange, Yokkaichi from interchange Yokkaichi between East Interchange In-bound 6 am of December 13, the line about 3km From about 5km Out-bound line between Yokkaichi Higashi Interchange and Suzuka Interchange will start operation in provisional 3 lanes from 6:00 am on December 19th.

As a result, In-bound line Yokkaichi from interchange Yokkaichi to junction, Out-bound lines Yokkaichi until the middle of the Suzuka interchange from the junction, will be in all three lanes.

This section is used by about 100,000 passengers a day. In addition to morning and evening traffic, there is heavy traffic during the congestion period. With the provisional three-lane system, traffic congestion near the Yokkaichi interchange will be almost eliminated, and punctuality and safety will be improved.

It is also assumed that traffic congestion between Yokkaichi Junction and Kameyama Junction will decrease by about 50% on the vertical line.

In the provisional three-lane section, as shown in the document, the width of lanes and shoulders is narrower than usual, so please make sure to drive safely.

 

[Start of ETC lane operation on Abotoge Road]

Abotoge Road From 11 am on December 6th, the anniversary of the 15th anniversary of the opening, we will start operating the ETC dedicated lane at the Hirayu (Hirayu) tollgate.

As a result, all toll booths managed by NEXCO CENTRAL will have dedicated ETC lanes.

Until now, it was possible to pay tolls with an ETC card on Abotoge Road, but it was necessary to remove the ETC card from the vehicle-mounted device and make a payment, which caused inconvenience to customers.

From now on, it is possible to pass through the ETC dedicated lane with the ETC card inserted in the vehicle-mounted device. However, normal Expressway Unlike toll, once asked to stop at the front of the ETC opening and closing the bar, it will be the same way way as smart interchange, is should you need to use thank you careful if so.

To commemorate the commencement of the ETC exclusive lane operation and the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Abotoge Road, the first 100 customers who passed through the tollgate will receive commemorative items such as folk crafts from Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture and Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Will be presented.

 

[About the situation of traffic fatal accident]

In response to the rapid increase in traffic fatalities on Expressway under the jurisdiction of the Company, the Company established the `` Traffic Fatal Accident Emergency Response Headquarters '' in-house on November 1, and designated November as `` Enhanced Awareness Month. '' We are reinforcing traffic safety awareness initiatives such as the “Road Safety Campaign”.

However, traffic fatalities did not end shortly after November, and seven traffic fatalities occurred yesterday and eight people lost their precious lives, a serious situation since privatization. It has been increasing at a faster pace than last year.

As for the cause of death, the number of deaths due to release from outside the vehicle is the highest at 11 people. Next, 10 people were killed in an accident hit by a following vehicle on a Expressway, and 9 people died in a motorcycle accident. By day of the week, the rate of fatal accidents on holidays is high, and by time of day, late night to morning is a dangerous time.

I think that more people will use the Expressway for sightseeing and leisure from this fall to winter and homecoming during the year-end and New Year holidays. When going out, be sure to wear a seat belt in the back seat, and if you feel drowsy or tired, take a break in the service area or parking area as soon as possible.

 

[About Highway Campaign]

The “Snowland Gifu Highway Campaign”, which has been well received by customers as “I look forward to it every year,” will be held again from December 1 this year.

This campaign is based on a comprehensive agreement concluded with Gifu Prefecture aimed at revitalizing the local economy through improving customer service and promoting tourism using Expressway.

Expressway is used to enjoy skiing and other activities in Gifu Prefecture. If you use the ticket attached to the pamphlet distributed at hand, you will find a lift at the ski resort in Gifu Prefecture The ticket will be discounted and you will receive coffee and discounted bathing tickets for nearby hot spring facilities in the service area of Expressway.

In addition, if you apply from the campaign site on our official website after using the Expressway, you can exchange vouchers for ski resort common lift 1-day tickets and mileage points up to 4000 yen equivalent in value "500 points" will be presented to 700 people by lot.

Please use the Expressway when you go to the ski resorts in Gifu Prefecture, which is full of charm.

 

[About technical training service]

Based on the technology cultivated in the construction and management of Expressway the “Technical Training Service” will be launched on December 1, which can be used for training engineers and improving technical skills in private companies and various organizations.

This is a service that customizes training programs according to the needs of customers, with technological capabilities that can meet diverse needs.

Technique to preserve the Notes and the environment at the time of road construction, such as earthwork, bridges, tunnels or inspection in the management of road, diagnosis, repair, for such reinforcement method, a combination of lectures and field training, by each of the experts NEXCO CENTRAL will provide a training program that can not be only.

I would like you to use our "Technical Training Service" to enhance your technical skills.

The materials distributed to you are a booklet that summarizes our technical services. If you have any technical difficulties, please contact NEXCO CENTRAL Technical Support Office.

 

[Expressway for the development of electric vehicles for maintenance and management of the (EV)]

In order to contribute to the realization of a sustainable low-carbon society through the spread of electric vehicles, we will develop an EV self-propelled sign vehicle based on a 2-ton truck in cooperation with six organizations such as the University of Tokyo and private companies. And started a joint research on a wireless power supply system for supplying power to EVs.

Self-propelled sign vehicles are vehicles that are used to clearly indicate the restriction points and alert customers to construction regulations on Expressway. For EV conversion, we will conduct joint research on specification confirmation, operation methods, etc., and start experimental operation on Expressway next year.

We will also conduct joint research on the two power supply systems for the non-contact wireless power supply system that is considered to play a leading role in EV's next-generation power supply system. For the magnetic resonance method, a prototype will be produced and introduced next year. We will continue to contribute to the environment and a sustainable society.

 

These are the topics we have prepared today.

 

【MC】

Now, I would like to receive your questions from now on.

 

[Reporter]

Higashi-Meihan Expressway Regarding the provisional operation of three lanes near Yokkaichi IC, please let me know the regulation speeds at present and after provisional three lanes. What is the meaning of "provisional"?

 

[President Kaneko]

The current regulation speed is 80 km / h, and will remain at 80 km / h after the provisional operation of the three lanes. The meaning of "provisional" is because it is a provisional measure until the opening of the Shin-Meishin Expressway which is currently under construction.

 

[Reporter]

The regulation speed is 60 km / h on the provisional three-lane section in the Okazaki area of Tomei. Why is this section 80 km / h?

 

[President Kaneko]

The extension of the provisional three-lane section near the Yokkaichi IC this time is 3 km on the In-bound line and 5 km on the Out-bound line, so I think that changing the regulation speed more frequently may have a problem with safety. In the Okazaki area, the provisional section is as long as 15 km, so I think the regulation speed is 60 km / h. The final decision was made by the Public Safety Commission, but I have heard that such discussions took place.

 

[Reporter]

The width of the three-lane provisional section is narrow, so please try to drive safely. Is there any safety problem in your design?

 

[President Kaneko]

In the Okazaki district of Tomei, whose width was 3.25m, it has been about a year since the operation started in October last year, but no traffic accidents have occurred due to the narrow lane width. I think there is no problem with safety.

 

[Reporter]

Will the technical training service instructors be NEXCO CENTRAL employees? What is the price assumed? Also, do you plan to grant unique qualifications to future trainees?

 

[President Kaneko]

Training instructors will be provided by NEXCO CENTRAL Group employees. Each company has specialists in earthwork, bridges, tunnels, etc. Regarding fees, we would like to present a training plan and estimate based on customer requests. Regarding qualifications, we are a private company, so we do not consider giving public qualifications just because we have received training. However, procedures such as applying for and certifying to the Japan Society of Civil Engineers Continuing Education (CPD) program will be performed upon request.

 

[Reporter]

You offer training to private companies and various organizations. What specific companies and organizations do you think you can provide? What are the benefits and revenue goals of deploying this service?

 

[President Kaneko]

The offer destinations are general companies and construction-related companies.

As a merit, rather than making a lot of profits with this service, I think that knowing and using our technology will lead to the improvement of our brand. As for sales, we are aiming for sales of about 1 million yen this fiscal year.

 

[Reporter]

It is a pamphlet that says, "Please leave me a thing." Can we consider "human resource development" as a service that starts on December 1st? Or do you think the whole brochure is a service that will start from now?

 

[Employees]

This brochure was created to introduce our entire technical service to confirm customer needs. What we commercialized this time is the “various training programs” part of the “human resource development”.

 

[Reporter]

The pamphlet states, "We will dispatch and support NEXCO CENTRAL Group employees to customers who need land negotiations." Are you providing such services?

 

[Employees]

If there is a need from the customer, I would like to consider commercialization in the future.

 

[Reporter]

Expressway There are many fatal accidents, and an emergency response headquarters was set up in November, but if it was originally a deadline, whether it will continue in the future, what if it would be dissolved Please tell me the positioning. In addition, November is "Enlightenment Enhancement Month". What happens in December?

 

[President Kaneko]

Unfortunately, there were a lot of traffic fatalities on the Expressway since autumn, so we launched a campaign in a hurry. The campaign is asking the media to make it known and giving lectures at truck associations. We also hold joint events with traffic police and related organizations, distribute flyers in service areas and parking areas, and provide information on our website.

 

[Employees]

The campaign started short-term and intensive for a month starting in November based on the situation in October. Unfortunately, eight people have died in November and we are considering extending it a little further. Safety measures against traffic congestion and snow and ice during the year-end and New Year holidays also need to be implemented in parallel, and the timing of dissolution has not been determined.

 

[Reporter]

Is there a case study of another company in the industry regarding the development of maintenance EV?

 

[Employees]

We believe this is the first development of a self-propelled sign vehicle.

 

[Reporter]

Please tell us why you decided to convert your self-propelled beacon to EV in the presence of many special vehicles. Also, please tell me the merits of EV conversion.

 

[Employees]

NEXCO CENTRAL has a large number of vehicles, but self-propelled traffic signs generally have limited travel patterns, and we have decided that EV conversion is possible based on the current driving distance. The benefits of using EVs are that we can contribute to society by reducing CO2 and expanding the range of use of EVs.

 

[Reporter]

The Democratic Party's manifesto recently came out, saying that the lower house election has begun, but there is no free Expressway, unlike three years ago. I think that after the change of government, the president has become the president of NEXCO CENTRAL the form of "recruiting civilians", one of the highlights of the Democratic Party administration, so please give me frank impressions on this.

 

[President Kaneko]

Not only is the Expressway free, but some items from the Democrat's last manifesto are missing from this manifesto. I heard that we picked up only what we could do this time. According to newspaper reports, the chairman of the political tone said that the idea of free Expressway still remains within the party, but in any case, I think that the opinions of the Democratic Party and the LDP are different. I personally think that the beneficiary burden is good, but at this stage I would like to refrain from further commenting.

 

[Reporter]

I think that the LDP is considering the development of Expressway Basic Bill for Reinforcement of the Land, but I think the impact around that will appear in the election. What about this?

 

[President Kaneko]

NEXCO3 was privatized on October 1, 2005. As spelled out in the privatization legislation, a review of the decade after privatization is about to come. No matter what kind of government you have, you have to do it well. Before that, there is a Expressway toll problem. If the source of the fee discount will disappear within the fiscal year 2013, it will be reflected in the fee if it is unchanged. I think that there is no doubt that the issues of the way as a Expressway company should be questioned, including that. We have been doing road management and operation for a long time since the JH era, so we have both experience and knowledge. We would like to express our opinions through the right places.

 

[Moderator]

It seems that the question has been interrupted, so this will end the regular press conference.